CMP vehicles in service with the Royal Netherlands Army

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Some other interesting finds:

Earth borer: "Grondboorauto Chevrolet C60S, 3 ton, 4x4"
AKL046310.jpg
https://nimh-beeldbank.defensie.nl/m...1-13966e870614

"Bureauauto Chevrolet, C60L , 3ton, 4x4."
AKL080966.jpg
https://nimh-beeldbank.defensie.nl/m...1-13966e870614

"Een GMC Otter gepantserd verkenningvoertuig. Gebruikt bij de Koninklijke Marechaussee tot 1970."
b1771266-793a-deba-a2b5-acfeb7241dfb.jpg
https://nimh-beeldbank.defensie.nl/m...e-b71cf033d065

The Otter was in service with the Netherlands Military Police until 1970. That is one reason why a fair percentage of surviving Otters are ex-Dutch.

More to follow later!

Enjoy,
Hanno

[Hanno Spoelstra]

This is where many if not all CMPs for the Dutch army came from - the Deelen dump:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-2H...utu.be&t=6m25s

105.5 Army Vehicles Demobbed
Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers classify trucks as they drive by; close-ups of shields, signs, numbers on vehicles. Trucks, armoured cars, tanks, jeeps and other military vehicles parked on large military vehicle parking lot at the Arnhem Airport, Holland.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

The thread CMP history - in Dutch has links to three articles in Dutch with more information about CMP trucks of the Royal Netherlands Army after WW2.

Some statistics:

• About 900 C60L's in use until 1960;
• The Artillery had 165 CGT's plus 101 FGTs on strength;
• In 1951, 338 C15A's were listed on strength, but undoubtedly more were in service early after WW2.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Couple of C15's pictured in use with the Dutch Army. With thanks to Alex for pointing them out.

"Beauty shots" used to catalogue and document the vehicle inventory:

AKL046245.jpg AKL046251.jpg
Source: https://nimh-beeldbank.defensie.nl/m...1-13966e870614 and https://nimh-beeldbank.defensie.nl/m...1-13966e870614

Here's one pictured during maintenance out in the open ("backyard mechanics?"):
2001_N0000020-07.jpg
Source: https://nimh-beeldbank.defensie.nl/m...9-665851298ea1

[David Dunlop]

Hanno.

Is there a logic, or system, that you are aware of for the 5-digit numbering system showing up on these RNA vehicles?

David

[Alex van de Wetering]

Is there a logic, or system, that you are aware of for the 5-digit numbering system showing up on these RNA vehicles?

David,

Someone once told me that the 5 digits were just the last 5 of the original Canadian Census numbers, but I have never checked if this is indeed the case.

Alex

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Colonel Schafroth directing maneuvers at Oldebroek, The Netherlands. Date: 8 april 1948

Note this C15A Cab 13 is fitted with a 2B1 body, not common on C15A’s. Part of the Foliage Pattern (a.k.a. Mickey Mouse) camouflage is still visible on the tilt. Also note two “aftermarket” headlights fitted instead of the original ones.

34C4747A-089B-463F-A6D0-830CF6A32A63.jpg

Source: http://proxy.handle.net/10648/a8b500...8-003048976d84

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

The Otter was in service with the Netherlands Military Police until 1970. That is one reason why a fair percentage of surviving Otters are ex-Dutch.

An Otter of the Military Police in front of the "Concertgebouw" (Concert hall) during a military parade, Museumplein, Amsterdam, 27 March 1952 (Foto Ben van Meerendonk / AHF, collectie IISG, Amsterdam)

4075099082_91d6619b6f_o.jpg

Not much later an another Otter serving as a target in the 1950's on the aircraft gunnery range on Vlieland, the Netherlands. The vehicle has sank into the sand, caused by a high tide.

Screenshot_2019-12-24 All sizes Vlieland - Vliehors - doel Klu Flickr - Photo Sharing .jpg
Source: https://flic.kr/p/qdtBkZ

[Hanno Spoelstra]

C30 LAAT with Dutch census 32910:

AKL046276.jpg AKL080880.jpg

Source: https://nimh-beeldbank.defensie.nl/f...7-f88749ccc403

[Alex van de Wetering]

C30 LAAT with Dutch census 32910:

Sometimes the background is just as interesting as the foreground.....A Staghound AA and carrier on the right and a Standard Beaverette on the left, which has possibly been cut down(?)

Alex

[Alex van de Wetering]

Here is another fascinating picture from the NIMH archives. According to the description it shows a Ford CMP, in which case it would be a rare F60H......but on closer inspection, it looks more like a GM C60X, judging from the brush guard, prop shafts and brake booster fittings. The truck has been fitted with an engine and winch to control moving targets on the Vliehors firing range. Any ideas on the engine ???......possibly a 6-71 Detroit diesel....or half of a GM diesel Sherman M4A2 power pack??

Alex

source:https://nimh-beeldbank.defensie.nl/f...a-4b0b1dd58a6a

[David Herbert]

Alex,
Yes I think you are right about the engine mounted on the CMP. I am certain that it is a GM 6-71 out of a Sherman or M10. They have even mounted the radiator as it would be in the tank installation so that the pipes could be re used. The generator mounting is the same too.
It looks as if the engine is mounted well off centre on the truck which might suggest that this is a complete 6046 twin set but I don't think that I see the transfer box that joins the two engines, though it may have been removed to get at the clutches, quite a common job if the engines are not properly synchronized.
I think that that is a M41 light tank behind it on the left of the photo.
I am puzzled about why a moving target range needed its power unit to be mobile, usually they are in a protected bunker at one end of the target track.

David

[Alex van de Wetering]

I am certain that it is a GM 6-71 out of a Sherman or M10.

Hi David,

Thanks for your confirmation on the GM Diesel! That's quite the engine to sit on the back of a CMP!

I am puzzled about why a moving target range needed its power unit to be mobile, usually they are in a protected bunker at one end of the target track.

There was no further explanation on this with the photo in the archive.....the only reason I can think of is the fact that the Vliehors range is at a beach and the range might change with high-low tides, making a mobile unit a better choice (?)
According to the picture description the tank in the background is an M24 (and probably another standing in front of it), which sounds logical as the Dutch army did have M24's, but no M41's that I know of.

Alex

[Hanno Spoelstra]

The Ford F30 LAAT is a rare beast, as far as I can tell. The Netherlands Army had a number of them, along with C30 LAATs.

An F30 with census number 32957 in the Second Vehicle Park, Stroe, 1945:

AKL046279.jpg
Source: https://beeldbank.nimh.nl/foto-s/det...b-802a3bfecc73


And ten years later F30 census 32974 is used in a liberation parade in Rotterdam, 1955:

NL-RtSA_4282_1977-3614_resized.jpg
Source: https://proxy.archieven.nl/0/CFF10C8...6A683C12690C44

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

The Otter was in service with the Netherlands Military Police until 1970. That is one reason why a fair percentage of surviving Otters are ex-Dutch.

Here's another photo of Otter LRCs in service with the Military Police in 1961:

Emst NL 1961 Otter Marechaussee.jpg
Near Emst in 1961, angry farmers were kept in check by armoured police cars. Photo ANP

Source: https://www.destentor.nl/epe/emster-...quiz~ab33766c/